Rape as a weapon of war must end, says Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie poses for photographers as she arrives with William Hague for their meeting with David Cameron (Picture: AP)

Sexual violence used as a weapon of war must stop, Hollywood star Angelina Jolie said yesterday.

The Tomb Raider actress said sexual violence in conflict had ‘nothing to do with sex, but everything to do with power’.

She said it was a myth that rape was an inevitable part of conflict, adding: ‘There is nothing inevitable about it. It is a weapon of war aimed at civilians.

‘We must send a message around the world that there is no disgrace in being a survivor of sexual violence, that the shame is on the aggressor.’

Having met survivors in Afghanistan and Somalia, Jolie, 39, said they are ‘just like us, with one crucial difference.

‘We live in safe countries with doctors we can go to when we’re hurt, police we can turn to when we’re wronged, and institutions that protect us.

Angelina Jolie and William Hague make their opening speech at the start of the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London (Picture: AP)

‘They live in refugee camps, on bombed-out streets, in areas where there is no law, no protection, and not even the hope of justice.’

In a speech that was met with cheers, she called for armies, peacekeeping troops and police forces to be trained in preventing sexual violence in conflict.

The End Sexual Violence in Conflict summit at ExCeL London comes after two years of planning by foreign secretary William Hague and Jolie, who is also a special envoy for the UN Commissioner for Refugees.

Mr Hague pledged a further £6million to support survivors in conflict, adding: ‘This is one of the great mass crimes of the 20th century and the 21st century. If anything, this is getting worse.’